This is a Ball - Book Review

My name is Marisa. I am a fiction writer, a blogger, and a freelance journalist.

Published April 1st 2018

There's something wrong with this book

Beck Stanton & Matt Stanton

This is a Ball is a one-of-a-kind picture book that is as hilarious as it is in genius.

This is a Ball is an interactive children's book. It has a simple premise. The back of the book sums it up well. You know how, as a grown-up, you have all the answers and are right all the time? Now it's your turn to be wrong. Every single thing you will read in This is a Ball is wrong and your kids are going to take a lot of delight in pointing that out to you and telling you the correct answer.

This is a Ball is part of the Books That Drive Kids Crazy series. Other titles in the series include The Red Book, Did You Take the B from my Book? And Wait!

The Books That Drive Kids Crazy series was created by Beck and Matt Stanton. Beck has a background in teaching and childhood development and Matt is a bestselling children's book writer and illustrator. In addition to working on the Crazy series, he is the co-creator of the bestselling Fart Monster picture book series, and the young adult series Funny Kid. Beck and Matt live in Sydney, Australia.

The Books That Drive Kids Crazy series have been highly successful. This is a Ball was published in 2015 and was listed on the 2016 Australian Book Industry Awards shortlist and appeared on the 2016 Children's Book Council of Australia's Notable Books list.

This is a Ball is suitable for children the age of 4 and up. I read it to my three-year-old and had a great time. I sat her down on my lap and showed her the book.

'This is a ball,' I said. Her little brow furrowed. "No," she said. 'It's a box.' There was a hint of laughter in her voice.

'No, it's a ball,' I said, tapping the book. 'See? It says so right here. It's a ball.'

'No, it's a cube!' she said a little louder this time. She was getting frustrated now.

'Are you sure?' I pretended to sound confused. 'It looks like a ball to me.'

'No, Mummy,' she said, with the confidence of someone who knew all her shapes. 'It's a box. Okay?'

'Okay,' I said, nodding. We turned the page.

We got to a picture of an elephant.

'This is a dog,' I said.

'No, Mum, it's an elephant.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yes!' Overwhelmed with my stupidity, my daughter actually started tugging on her own hair at this point. "It's an elephant, Mum. It's not a doggy.Okay?"

'Okay,' I said, grinning.

I had way too much fun reading this book. I've always been the sort who loves to tease people and this book gave me all the giggles. I'm looking forward to collecting the rest of this series. If you have kids and want a good laugh I recommend you try This is a Ball.